‘Mark my words’: Tim Tszyu reveals stunning bid for history driving his boxing rise

Tim Tszyu says he is prepared to “die in the ring” on Sunday as the two-time world champion hopeful outlined his mission to make the Tszyu clan the greatest family in boxing history.

He bears a large scar on his forehead from his bloody loss to Sebastian Fundora, but Tszyu insists he carries no psychological scars into Sunday’s world-title blockbuster against Russian Bakhram Murtazaliev in Orlando.

Tszyu’s last fight in America in March was a disaster. An accidental elbow from Fundora sent blood gushing from his head. The crimson fountain could not be stopped. Amid the blood and chaos, Tszyu lost his WBO world-title belt and a potential $38 million superfight with Terence Crawford.

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Now, seven months on, Tszyu is back Stateside. This time, the only blood he wants is Bakhram’s. The V-shaped scar on his forehead is a tangible symbol of the “vengeance” Tszyu is seeking by mauling Murtazaliev and proving to the world of boxing he is the real deal at super welterweight.

Tszyu will walk into the ring at Caribe Royale Resort with two burning goals.

One, to become the undisputed top dog of the 154-pound division.

And, two, to rubber-stamp the Tszyu family as the greatest the sport of boxing has ever seen, a fitting objective given that his legendary father, Kostya, arrived in Orlando on Friday to watch his son live for the first time in eight years.

With Kostya a four-time world champion, Tim eyeing a second world title and younger brother Nikita (10-0) now a world-ranked fighter, the 29-year-old vowed to make the Tszyus boxing’s royal family.

“Mark my words, the last name Tszyu will live on as the greatest boxing family ever lived when me and my brother are done with this,” Tszyu said ahead of his IBF world-title showdown with Murtazaliev.

“We can go to another universe as a boxing family.

“A big part of my career now is legacy, creating moments for my Australian fans, myself and my family.

“My biggest driver is my dad. His aura. I’ve had to create my own identity and to do that, I have to surpass him.

“I want all the belts and I want to show everyone I am the best in this division, but the No.1 goal is to make sure the Tszyu family is the greatest boxing family that ever lived.

“Simple.”

Not so simple is the task confronting Tszyu on Sunday. Murtazaliev is a thrashing machine who is unbeaten in 22 fights, 16 by knockout, and possesses the dark, ice-cold stare of a pugilistic assassin raised in Russia.

Since turning pro in 2014, Murtazaliev has not been beaten in 10 years, but Tszyu’s gutsy loss to Fundora, his first defeat in 25 fights, has not dented his self-belief.

Tszyu was not embittered by the politics over his head cut. Instead, he vowed to get better. He has. He reunited with Kostya for a camp in Thailand where the old man tried to break his son’s spirit.

“I pushed him to the limit to get him to another level of mental toughness,” Kostya said.

“One of the exercises we did, we worked on the bag at good pace. We went for one hour non-stop. Not many great boxers in the world can do this.

“Tim did it. He never gave up. He has a great ability to push himself.”

Iron sharpening iron. Kostya’s old-school methods that made him a Hall of Famer have worked. Tszyu says physical testing in the lead-up to this Murtazaliev bout shows he is in the best shape of his career.

“We did some tests and I’ve got the numbers back and there’s been a 50 per cent increase in all departments,” Tszyu said.

“From my neck to my legs, to the power, the speed … I’ve improved in every area.”

Seeing Murtazaliev from close range, he is a frightening figure. His dark eyes are as cold as they are intimidating and he has goaded Tszyu, warning he has one-punch knockout power and if he connects, the Aussie “will be going down for sure”.

But Tszyu is mindful of the repercussions. Back-to-back defeats on American soil would leave his career, and the Tszyu empire, in tatters.

The ‘Soul Taker’ vowed to conquer America. It starts on Sunday.

“I am willing to die in this fight,” he said.

“One victory can get you all the way to the top, and one loss can take you all the way down to the bottom. That’s the beauty of this sport.

“I know this is a huge fight for myself and where I go in boxing.

“I want to show all the other guys in this division, this is the right to prove I’m the one.

“I went to hell and back (after losing to Fundora) and this is my vengeance.

“I’m a man on a mission. This is my comeback … and I’m going to make a statement.”